County Executive Ike Leggett explores the economic and social consequences of turtle-stacking while reading Yertle the Turtle to second-graders at Fairland Elementary. (Photo from the MoCo website.)

While most college kids are heading south next week, I'll be heading up north to Montreal for some good ol' fashioned Spring Break debauchery, Canada-style. Back in high school, I dreamed about studying architecture at McGill University in Montreal because of their awesome affordable housing program - only to discover that not only was it only for grad students, but I'd probably have to learn some French before going up there. Parlez-vous Français? Non.

While I'm soaking up the heavy snowfall and sub-freezing temperatures, Just Up The Pike will run a series about the development of shopping malls, with a focus on the D.C. area. But if you need some blog action - other than reading my fellow Silver Spring bloggers, of course - you'll definitely want to check out these events coming up next week:

On Tuesday, discuss the future of Wheaton at a redevelopment forum hosted by Park and Planning and featuring a panel of "urban planning experts" and County officials eager to play a part in the revitalization of the business district, which was shaken up last month by the tragic destruction of local institution El Pollo Rico.

Then, on Thursday, County Executive Ike Leggett comes home to Burtonsville for his first Town Hall Meeting in the area. Come speak your piece before our native son at Briggs Chaney Middle School, which is actually located in Cloverly.

And, the rest of the time, you'll want to keep by your computer for the latest updates from Councilwoman Nancy Floreen's new blog, which came on line earlier this month. Floreen, who talked to us here last spring, will be joining such local luminaries as Council President Mike Knapp and former County Exec candidate Chuck Floyd.